The Archbishop of York is facing calls to resign over a sex abuse scandal, just weeks before he takes charge of the Church of England.

Stephen Cottrell apologised for not acting sooner in the case of disgraced priest David Tudor. As Bishop of Chelmsford from 2010 to 2020, Mr Cottrell has been criticised for letting Tudor stay in post despite several accusations of sexual misconduct.

Tudor was eventually suspended in 2019 and banned for life in October after he admitted sex abuse allegations against two girls dating back to the 1980s. The Bishop of Newcastle, the Rt Rev Helen-Ann Hartley, called for Mr Cottrell to quit.

A photo of David Tudor
Tudor was suspended in 2019 and banned for life after admitting to sex abuse in the 1980s
She said: “I think that it completely undermines his credibility. How can you have the moral and ethical authority to lead an institution? So yes, I do think that he should consider his position.”

Mr Cottrell claimed that it was not possible to remove Tudor from office until fresh complaints were made against him in 2019. He added: “I am deeply sorry that we were not able to take action earlier, but that was the situation I inherited. It is extremely disappointing that this story is being reported as if it was an abuser being ignored or protected.

“Nothing could be further from the truth. And to present it this way only re-traumatises already hurt people.” At least seven women say they were abused by Tudor, who worked for the Church of England for 46 years.

He was convicted of indecent assault in 1988, but the verdict was quashed because the judge misdirected the jury. In 1989, he was banned by the Church for five years for sexual misconduct. Then-Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey agreed he could come back under supervision in 1993.

From January 2008, Tudor had been working under a safeguarding agreement preventing him from being alone with children or entering schools.

In 2012, Tudor paid one victim £10,000 without admitting liability. Seven years later, the Church paid another victim a six-figure sum.

Mr Cottrell will lead the Church from January 6 until a replacement for Justin Welby as Archbishop of Canterbury is chosen. Mr Welby quit last month over a separate abuse scandal.